The Australian Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2018 Gold Medal winner, Alec Tzannes has commenced his national speaking tour with a conversation around the nature of architecture and its often-underestimated benefits for Australian cities and towns.

Tzannes, who will explore themes that influence contemporary design thinking and language, the way we work, and the role of architecture in community, will also invite discussion about how, as architects, we can be at the forefront of shaping a new aesthetic – one that takes on the challenge of being better recognised by the broader community as ethical and trusted stewards of the design of the built environment.

“Architecture is an expressive medium. It also is central to delivering a more sustainable, liveable urban environment to secure Australia’s future from social and economic perspectives. Good design is far more valuable than is commonly understood as the value proposition is inter-generational and hard to imagine with certainty in the creation process,” says Tzannes.

As an architect, academic and founder of Tzannes architecture, he is acknowledged for designing some of Australia’s most iconic contemporary buildings.

Some of Tzannes’ most recognisable Sydney projects include the Federation Pavilion at Centennial Park, Cathy Freeman Park at Homebush, the Brewery Yard at Central Park and urban furniture for the City of Sydney.

Earlier this year, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to architecture and education, Tzannes was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the 2018 Gold Medal.

The 2018 Gold Medal Tour is supported by BlueScope, and as an overview, Tzannes’ talks reflect on his firm’s body of work exploring themes that emerge and their relevance to the future of architecture.

The final tour date is at the AS Hook Address in Sydney on 24 October, in which he will consolidate his views on architecture adding to the archive of ideas recorded from previous recipients of this honour.

“I’m keen to use the Gold Medal Tour as an opportunity to seek a wide range of views on this theme to explore the role and contribution of the profession in the broader community,” says Tzannes.

Awarded since 1960, the AIA Gold Medal recognises distinguished service by architects who have designed or executed buildings of high merit, produced work of great distinction resulting in the advancement of architecture or endowed the profession of architecture in a distinguished manner.

Architecture & Design Team

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